First edition of the book which established the scientific study of acoustics. -- Chladni (1756-1827), a professor of physics in Breslau, "was the first to reduce the general association between vibration and pitch to a tabular basis." "By spreading sand over plates and running a violin bow over their edges, Chladni was able to observe the structure of the resulting vibrations, because the sand collected along the nodal curves where there was no motion. Patterns formed in this way [hereafter known as "Chladni figures" ] were symmetrical and often spectacular, the lines of sand forming circles, stars, and other geometric patterns." -- Published by Weidmanns Erben und Reich [ Weidmann ], Leipzig, 1787. [4], 77, [1] pp. + 11 fold-out plates with 166 diagrams of Chladni figures. Plates signed by engraver Capieux, dated 1786 or 1787. Early, perhaps contemporary, binding of marbled paper over boards, with endpapers of laid paper. Previous owner's bookplate on front pastedown, and his name in ink plus earlier small name-stamp of "Henri Dufour, Professeur" on front free endpaper. Some foxing and age-toning to text pages, but rarely to plates. Much-rubbed and barely noticeable early handwritten title label at top of backstrip. Some wear at corners and ends of backstrip. Otherwise in very good condiiton, with all pages unmarked and binding tight. -- Dict. Sci. Biography, III, 258f. Printing and the Mind of Man, no. 233a. Size: 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. Codice inventario libreria 002273

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